Nigerian girl undergoes surgery in Mumbai for bow-legs disorder

A Nigerian girl affected by Blount's disease underwent a surgical correction with a new technique for her bow-legs disorder at a city hospital.

"Hilda Okaye, a six and a half year old girl, was diagnosed with Bount's disease in Nigeria. Her father brought her here for correction," Atul R Bhaskar, pediatric ortho surgeon who operated Hilda told mediapersons here today.

The girl, who wanted to be a sports person, had developed bow legs since childhood, he said. Blount's disease affects bone development of toddlers and older children.

It begins as bow legs which does not improve in a child between two and four years of age. Angular deformities or bow legs are common under the age of two and usually corrects itself, Bhaskar said adding that he used a new technique 'Epiphysionysis' to correct the problem.

The procedure, which was performed on May 15 for two hours at the Bombay Hospital, involved removal of abnormal growth bone plate from the left leg and filling the cavity with bone cement (ceramic cement) in the void that was created, he said. With this, her growth will not get affected and therefore she will not end up with shortening of legs, he said.

Hilda, who could not engage in normal activities like her friends and sisters, can now do so after few months of physiotherapy enjoy normal activities, Bhaskar said.